I admit it. I’m an American Idol addict. With the high cost of gas, the temptation for entertainment with a competitive edge lures me to my television – week after week.

For a push of a button, I settle in my chair, glass of wine in hand and phone in the other.I marvel how the contestants either step to the plate and deliver or turtle back to the dugout.

Rarely does a contestant capture my attention and more importantly, my heart. Not only gifted with a voice, Chris Daughtry proved under the lights, that the mark of a man’s success is measured in more than octaves.

In a year filled with awesome talent, to discover that one who reaches into your world and engages you into the song is beyond expectations. For me, that one was Chris Daughtry.

Me and heavy metal? Me and a Rocker? Not exactly the rhythm of my soul but then – he sold me - with his soft, seductive “I Walk the Line” and I looked beyond the music and discovered the man.

With work ethics, family values and a constant strength of spirit, Chris performed with his best, listened to the critiques, accepted the challenge and delivered with excellence.

Manilow, Elvis and Bocelli, the rocker stayed the course and humbled himself to explore other avenues of song. I stayed the course, too, and learned to appreciate his chosen path.For a man with no formal training, I have great respect for his improvement and willingness to learn.

Tuesday, down to four contestants and anyone’s win, the singers inched off third base, rallying for the final base.

Heightened performances filled the hour and expectations escalated.

And then the vote.

Somehow, Chris’s team was caught with their foot off the base and the other idols’ fans cast votes beyond our player. That's the game.More so, Fox was caught off-base. After they allowed an encore performance by Taylor, I suspect American Idol ran out of time. The elimination announcement was abrupt. Brutal. Smiles turned upside-down across America and soon viewers bombarded the website, and demanded explanation of the three-second devastation.

For Chris, the three finalist, and the Idol fan base, perhaps, a public apology from American Idol for the simple lack of kindness in the face of 30 million viewers that left us shocked and bruised.

For Chris Daughtry, the American Idol of Public Opinion, the contest ends here.

When interviewed by USA Today, Chris spoke honestly -

"I just really want to thank everybody for supporting me so long in this, and I really feel for all the people who are disappointed today. I realized I have a lot of fans out there, and I'm appreciative for everything they've done. I ask them to not forget about me when I have an album out."- USA Today interview, May 11, 2006.

Again, a man with grace under fire, professional, not defeated, only on a detour.

And yes, Chris, I will be there to buy your album. The rocker and the writer will cross paths again. Boxers or briefs are fine with me.

Only the contest ends. Not the dream. The possibilities of possibilities are endless.

AUTHOR BIO:

A 2005 USABookNews Humor finalist, Cynthia Borris, No More Bobs, resides in California. Numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor and humor columnist, she is working on her next novel, To Serve Duck. For speaking engagements, contact author at website. She’ll bring the coffee and laughter but not the BOBS!Quack, quack…

YOU GO GIRL!!!! altho I have never watched the show, I did see the news today & I'm sure you are correct --- Chris's TALENT WILL OUT - perhaps he will land a bigger contract & make more money than A.I. ever dreamed of !!!